City officials and engineering consultants on Oct. 27 opened Jamestown City Hall to residents seeking community input on a proposed reconstruction of 4th Avenue East, a key corridor through town. The open-house style public input meeting, held from 5 to 7 p.m. at 102 3rd Avenue SE, presented plans that would replace aging pavement and add safety and drainage measures intended to improve resilience and visibility along the route.

The meeting was confirmed through the North Dakota Department of Transportation announcement and the City of Jamestown calendar, with the event first posted around Oct. 20. The City of Jamestown hosted the event with technical support from Interstate Engineering; project engineer Ben Aaseth was listed among the consulting team. Residents who could not attend were invited to submit written comments through Nov. 11, the deadline set for collecting public input.

Officials outlined project elements that include full pavement reconstruction, improvements to drainage systems, installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps and measures aimed at increasing viaduct visibility and intersection safety. Those changes are designed both to address current safety concerns and to reduce the potential for deterioration-related disruptions in the years ahead. While the announcement did not specify a construction start date, it positioned the engagement process as an early and required step in shaping final design decisions.

For local residents, the proposed work carries direct implications. 4th Avenue East serves daily commuters, provides access to downtown businesses and functions as a connector for neighborhood traffic including routes that many residents use en route to schools and community services. Improved pavement and drainage can lengthen the life of the roadway and reduce accident risks at intersections and underpasses identified as visibility concerns. At the same time, any future construction will likely require coordination on traffic adjustments and business access, and officials signaled they would consider public feedback as plans are refined.

The engagement opportunity reflects a municipal emphasis on transparency and resident participation in infrastructure choices. The City’s public input meeting format allowed residents to review plans, ask technical questions and submit concerns or suggestions through Nov. 11 if they were unable to attend. The record of comments and how they influence final plans will be important to follow, particularly for those seeking specifics on schedule, traffic management during construction and the scope of safety measures at identified high-risk intersections.

As Jamestown considers the 4th Avenue East project, the community faces familiar trade-offs between short-term disruption and long-term resiliency. Investment in pavement, drainage and accessibility can reduce future maintenance costs and safety hazards, while community input will shape how those benefits are balanced against impacts to everyday travel and business operations. Residents and stakeholders looking for details and opportunities to comment can consult the City of Jamestown calendar and the North Dakota Department of Transportation announcements for updates and next steps.